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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry. 

Learn about hiring a professional management company

Learn about hiring a professional management company

  • Posted: Nov 06, 2023
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Search management members working in, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Single Family and Multi Family.

 

“We give investors and clients the information to make an informed decision about which property management company to use”

  • They learn about how hiring a professional management company helps them.
  • They find out what fees are associated with management.
  • They read and learn about maintenance issues and repairs for their property.
  • Other information including what questions to ask potential management companies. We know that with real estate comes non paying tenants, evictions fees, collecting rents, vacant units, inspections, contracts and leases, payment matters from tenants and your monthly money.

 

Search Management Members

Join and we will give you a florida list of over 3000 member companies to start you with marketing.

learn what to look for in a Property Management company, the benefits, the services they provide, how they collect fees, how repairs are addressed, laws & licensing.

 

Read and learn what our members can do to help you with the management of your buildings. Managing properties can become quickly overwhelming, even for experienced investors. There is always something going on that requires attention and it takes very little time for things to get out of hand. Hiring a Property Manager can provide an opportunity to regain control and restore stability to both your properties and possibly life in general.

We understand the importance having income real estate to you and your family. We are here to help you with the selection process for hiring the right company for the management of your buildings. Your Property Manager will make critical decisions on your behalf making it extremely important that you do your homework during the hiring process.

Ultimately, your decision to hire or not hire a property management company should hinge on whether or not it is a good fit with your lifestyle, and makes sense financially.  Individual investors will have to assess the opportunity cost of both options based on their unique circumstances.

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Who is SFPMA ? -We are a member organization for Florida’s Condo, HOA and Property Management Industry.

Who is SFPMA ? -We are a member organization for Florida’s Condo, HOA and Property Management Industry.

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2023
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We are a member organization for Florida’s Condo, HOA and Property Management Industry. SFPMA.COM

Our Goal is to promote the many member companies in our industry and get you in front of the decision makers.

Our team is made up of professionals who work in our industry. These leading professionals who genuinely want to see you succeed and who will be thoroughly committed to helping you achieve your goals.

Our Members include: Property Management Companies, Building Owners, HOA’s, Condo Boards, Self Managed Associations, Business and Service members throughout Florida.

Working with professionals at offices throughout Florida. We are dedicated exclusively to clients that work with condominium, homeowners associations and property managers.

 

  • It starts with your membership listing on the Florida Directory, where management professionals can easily find and select companies needed for getting repairs completed and requests for proposals on new projects.
  • Our Directory makes it easy for Condo & HOA Boards and Managers to find trusted companies throughout Florida. In addition our team helps them find the right companies for their buildings.
  • Every month we add events to our Calendar, many offer ECU Credits and Certifications for Board Members to Management Professionals. 
  • We market our members using many avenues, through industry articles written by members, advertising in our publications and direct emails sent each week to over 230,000 clients. 
  • On the business side are our committees that lobby on issues related directly to our industry with a voice in our state capital. They advocate to achieve our goals and the goals for our members. 

*Join the State of Florida Property Management Association: ( sfpma.com ) Be found on our members directory by clients looking for the services you provide.

this week over 140. calls came in asking us if we are a property management company. we took the time to let these clients know about us, they were vendors trying to get infront of the decision makers for their services…Many of them are now members of sfpma.

Keep reading our Email blasts for all the new members, with such a large amount of new members we are doing our best to add all of them with all of their company information.

We are adding to our directory, redesigning and adding Category Pages. We are also working on our magazine, with  new info and new look it will be packed with more helpful information for our industry. Florida Rising Magazine

 

Thank you from all of us at SFPMA! ~Frank J Mari / Executive Director

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Good leadership and governance for Florida Board Members by SFPMA

Good leadership and governance for Florida Board Members by SFPMA

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2023
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Good leadership and governance for Board Members

“Seven keys to a successful board meeting”

One of the fundamental challenges that far too many board members and boards have is that they don’t have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

It sounds basic, but one of the fundamental challenges that far too many board members and boards have is that they don’t have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Boards, in general,  do well with more fundamental board members understanding responsibilities — understanding the organization’s mission and providing financial oversight. Conversely, they struggle most with external responsibilities, including fundraising, advocacy, and community-building and outreach. This lack of understanding of what is — and is not — a part of the board’s essential roles can lead to a whole host of dysfunctions, such as micromanagement, rogue decision-making, lack of engagement, and more.

Since it’s impossible to do a job well if you don’t know what the job is, all boards must take the time to ensure that every board member fully understands what’s expected and needed of him or her, and then hold all members accountable when they get off track.

This starts with an understanding of the fundamental legal duties of each individual board member, which include:

  • Duty of Care — Each board member has a legal responsibility to participate actively in making decisions on behalf of the organization and to exercise his or her best judgment while doing so.
  • Duty of Loyalty — Each board member must put the interests of the organization before their personal and professional interests when acting on behalf of the organization in a decision-making capacity. The organization’s needs come first.
  • Duty of Obedience — Board members bear the legal responsibility of ensuring that the organization complies with the applicable federal, state, and local laws and adheres to its mission.

 

Board meetings should be productive, efficient meetings where the board conducts business. Stop and think about that for a minute. Are your meetings productive and efficient? Does the board meet to conduct business or socialize? Are you getting the most out of your meetings?

We’ve put together seven keys to a successful board meeting. Following these suggestions can bring new life to your association and keep volunteers interested in helping.

 

1.- Board meetings should not last more than one hour. Start the meeting when it is scheduled to begin and get straight to business. If you collectively have the focus to get done in an hour you’ll be amazed with how much you can accomplish. If you have no time limit, the meeting will typically drag on and a lot of time will be wasted.

When time is wasted at a meeting then people are less likely to volunteer because they feel their time is wasted. One hour meetings have a major impact on volunteers. Associations that hold focused, one hour meetings have more people volunteer. It’s also important to note that those volunteers stay active the in the community for much longer. Length of your board meetings may seem like a trivial matter, but it really does have a large impact on how the volunteers of the association view the organization and, in turn, how they view their role.

 

2.- Make your meetings action oriented. Don’t just discuss issues, make decisions. Every item up for discussion should end in a vote to move forward in some way or table the issue with a clear understanding of why the item is being tabled and when it will be revisited. When taking action on an item make sure it is clear who will be responsible for getting that task completed. Ambiguity cripples a board.

 

3.- Board Meetings are for the board. They are not neighborhood meetings or social gatherings. The purpose of a board meeting is to conduct business, not see how many people you can get to attend. Some board members try to get as many people to attend as possible. This is missing the point. Homeowners are, of course, welcome to attend but it is not a membership meeting. The purpose of the board meeting is for the board to consider the affairs of the association, make business decisions, and then have a clear plan of action.

 

4.- Take time prior to the meeting to think about what you want to discuss. Inform the community manager of this one week prior to the meeting. This way your topics of discussion can be placed on the agenda which will allow the other board members and the community manager the opportunity to think about and/or research the item you want to talk about. When you don’t come prepared and spring things on the other board members or on the community manager this typically results in a lot of unnecessary discussion with additional research needed in order to make any kind of decision. Remember, be action oriented. By planning ahead you can make more decisions at the meeting instead of causing an item to be discussed twice and delayed for months.

 

5.- There are an odd number of board positions for a reason. You will not always see eye to eye. Don’t take it personal if the other members of the board disagree with you. This will occur and is healthy. While each board member should attempt to come to a consensus with the other members, you will not be able to achieve this each time. Countless hours are wasted by board members continuing to argue a point just to obtain “victory” on a certain issue or to avoid any vote that is not unanimous. This occurs because someone is taking it personal. If your view is not shared on an issue, take a vote, and move on. Do not hold a grudge. Recognize that you can disagree and still work well with each other.

6.- If you think you may have a conflict of interest do not vote on that issue. Let’s say a board member’s spouse is on a committee. If the board is making a decision on an issue related to that committee then the board member with the spouse on that committee should excuse him/herself.

 

7.- Most associations should hold quarterly meetings (unless your bylaws require more). Meeting more often than that becomes excessive and unnecessary. Remember you want to have focused, short, productive meetings. This keeps people interested in serving on the board and on committees. If the association is constantly meeting then people feel it is taking too much of their time and they will stop volunteering. It is important to note that you are required to comply with the minimum meeting requirement in your bylaws. Most association bylaws require no more than quarterly meetings, but check yours to be sure.

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Why Autumn Is a Pivotal Time for Your Waterbody – Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your lake or pond! Check out these fall maintenance tips

Why Autumn Is a Pivotal Time for Your Waterbody – Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your lake or pond! Check out these fall maintenance tips

  • Posted: Oct 21, 2023
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Should You Implement Lake and Pond Maintenance Services In the Fall?

As the transitional period between the summer and winter seasons, Autumn is a pivotal time to reflect on the challenges that your waterbody faced during the warmer months and contemplate your goals for the future. Autumn also provides an optimal window to implement maintenance services and water quality testing strategies that will help set your aquatic ecosystem up for success in the coming year.

 

Set Your Lake Up for Success This Fall

Autumn is a time of transition and no doubt, your waterbody will experience changes that manifest when spring and summer return. But stakeholders can shape these outcomes through an integrated management program that’s thoughtfully tailored to their unique property and budget. As the warmer months come to an end, an Aquatic Specialist can help property stakeholders assess the health and physical condition of their waterbodies and strategize a clear path to achieve their goals for the following year.

 


 

Address Aquatic Weeds & Muck with Mechanical Solutions

Weeds and pond algae are some of the most common problems that plague aquatic ecosystems during the warmer months. Though property owners and managers may be happy to see them disappear late in the season, the die-off of terrestrial and aquatic plants can impact the physical and chemical composition of the water, creating problems that seemingly lie dormant until warm weather returns. Mechanical harvesting and hydro-raking can be used to physically remove floating and submersed plants to prevent accumulation and muck development at the bottom.


Target Decomposing Pond Plants with Natural Biological Bacteria

Physical removal of pond weeds is effective, but plant fragments often remain. Biological bacteria play an essential role in the decomposition of remaining organic materials. They are found naturally in lakes and ponds, but can also be supplemented through a process called biological augmentation. These beneficial bacteria are aerobic, which means they require oxygen to carry out their metabolic processes.

 


Maintain Healthy Dissolved Oxygen Levels with Fountains & Aerators

But as the days grow shorter and cooler, dissolved oxygen (DO) can become depleted, reducing the efficiency of this process. Introducing floating aeration equipment or a submersed aerator can help maintain balanced DO levels, which facilitates decomposition and curbs the accumulation of nutrient-rich muck over the winter months. For stakeholders that already own a fountain or aerator, Autumn is an appropriate time to have units inspected and repaired to help prolong the performance of the equipment.

 


 

Balance Lake Nutrient Levels and Enhance Water Quality

Nutrients like phosphorus are an underlying cause of nuisance pond weed and algae growth. Phosphorus is naturally occurring in the water but is also transported by sources like lawn fertilizers, pet waste, trash, and agricultural runoff. Autumn is a good time to take action against nutrient imbalances and prevent explosive weeds and algae when the spring season arrives. If water quality tests reveal elevated phosphorus levels, products like Phoslock¹, Alum, and EutroSORB² can help target excess nutrients in waterbodies of all shapes, sizes, and uses. A professional can recommend the best solution based on the characteristics of your waterbody

 


Read the Full Article includes a larger list of services for your Lakes. 

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Get certified for free IN MIAMI AND WEST PALM BEACH while attending the Condo and HOA Expo.

Get certified for free IN MIAMI AND WEST PALM BEACH while attending the Condo and HOA Expo.

  • Posted: Oct 16, 2023
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South Florida Condo & HOA Expo

Seminars

Learn From Industry Leaders!

Get the tools and information you need to manage your condo or HOA more efficiently.

Regional and national experts will offer insights into the latest industry trends and best practices in legal oversight, financing, maintenance, renovations, energy efficiency, administration, communication and more.

Bring your questions to these lively, informative sessions and come away with a clear blueprint for improved management for the future.

OCTOBER 17TH, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M.
AT THE HYATT GRAND HOTEL IN MIAMI .

 

OCTOBER 19th, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M.
AT THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
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SO WHERE DO WE STAND NOW IN REGARDS TO RESERVES ? by Rafael Aquino

SO WHERE DO WE STAND NOW IN REGARDS TO RESERVES ? by Rafael Aquino

  • Posted: Oct 04, 2023
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SO WHERE DO WE STAND NOW IN REGARDS TO RESERVES ?

by Rafael Aquino

The use of associations funds is one of the most critical roles a board of directors manages on behalf of its members. Many times the benefit of those funds can make or break an association. It is essential to get a snapshot of what’s going on with the association’s funds before the purchase of your unit and even more so after your purchase. While it may seem challenging to know what is going on before your purchase, the reality is that you can get an idea by reviewing the financials and checking to see the association has a reserve study on file.

 

Not enough homework is done early on by potential buyers, or their agents, to determine the association’s financial strength, and they assume that all is well. That assumption can cost thousands of dollars if made incorrectly. How can you avoid it? The first step would be to dig into the financial statements; within those statements, you’ll know much money your association has in its operating account and reserve account (if it exists.) Second, you can review the Income/Expense (also known as a P&L) to determine if significant variances exist. If they do, you will need to find out why they exist. You can then compare your current operating and reserve account funds to what your reserve study states you should have. The reality is that most associations won’t meet the suggested capital contributions needed within the reserve study; however, you do want to know if the difference isn’t outrageous. If it is, you may decide not to purchase in that building, or if you’re a current owner, it may be time to sell. Remember, it’s not if it will happen, but when it will happen.

  

For individuals wondering what a reserve study is, it is a long-term capital budget planning tool that helps the board of directors and management identify both the physical analysis (useful life) and the financial analysis of the components in the common areas. This tool will allow your board to plan appropriately, project its future projects, and determine when and how the money they do have should be spent. I’ve seen it firsthand where a board wants to upgrade the pool area because they promised the owners they would improve the look of the property, but at the same time the cooling tower needs a significant overhaul. As odd as it may seem for most, this decision is simple; however, that is only true based on the leaders (board) you have appointed.

 

While many communities don’t have reserves, this should not stop you from obtaining a reserve study. The cost to get a reserve study is minimal compared to the information/knowledge you and your board would gain. We strongly recommend our clients obtain it; in fact, we had a client who listened to our suggestion and purchased a reserve study a few months before the budget season. Once they received the study, they quickly realized that it was time to start putting real plans in place. A few months later, that board decided to begin funding the reserves.

 

For those potential buyers looking to purchase in an association, make sure you do your homeowner. For those owners that already own in an association, make sure to ask your board members if they have a reserve study on file and if not to consider getting one. I believe it’s better to know what will potentially come so the proper steps and plans can be taken to either correct and/or communicate it to your membership.


 

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

 

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279

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Clear your schedule for this important networking and educational event! The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo is coming up Tuesday, October 10th, at the Signature Grand

Clear your schedule for this important networking and educational event! The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo is coming up Tuesday, October 10th, at the Signature Grand

  • Posted: Sep 27, 2023
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Clear your schedule for this important networking and educational event! The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo is coming up Tuesday, October 10th, at the Signature Grand, conveniently located just off I-595. If you haven’t already, be sure to complete your FREE REGISTRATION today.

This is an event you can’t afford to miss! In a single day, you’ll get the tools, information, and contacts you need to gear up for your property’s busy season:

  • Learn and get FREE CEU’s from 12 different seminars and courses covering today’s essential management topics, including Board Certification and Legal Update (But hurry – Seats fill up fast)!
  • Get advice from experts in law, security, property management, tax, accounting, and more.
  • Browse the newest products and services.
  • FREE PARKING! Attendees park for free in the Signature Grand’s surface lot surrounding the facility. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis – we strongly suggest carpooling if available.
  • FREE LUNCH! As a Community Association Manager, Board Member, Board President, or active HOA member, use promo code CLEAR when registering in the next 10 days and receive free lunch at the expo!

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 10th, at the Broward County Condo & HOA Expo!

Search our upcoming events find other Expos in October 2023

 

 

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After the Storm Passes, what should you and your Association do in a Natural Disaster

After the Storm Passes, what should you and your Association do in a Natural Disaster

After the Storm Passes, what should you and your Association do in a Natural Disaster

 

There is an eerie quietness that can often be felt after a disaster like a hurricane of flash flooding, the time after the rain has stopped but the sun still hasn’t returned. Returning to business as usual after your community has faced a natural disaster can be difficult, the responsibilities can seem endless but there are some steps you can take to ensure that your community is as strong and thriving as before.

2023 has been a challenging year in every regard, not the least of which has been related to the Atlantic Hurricane Season, the most active since 2005. With over 23 named storms, including eight hurricanes and over 24 tropical or subtropical cyclones, it’s easy to see why so many are patiently waiting for the storm season to come to a close. Officially over on November 30th, the damage done to many communities will continue to affect homeowners and HOA board members alike. We’ve previously discussed implementing a disaster plan for your community but what comes after the storm can be just as important.

Failure to immediately mitigate post storm damage can have detrimental consequences for homeowners and the community in general, which is why it’s tantamount that you are prepared to take quick decisive action after a storm and know the steps involved. Please check with your communities insurance agent and your licensed community staff to determine if your state has any specific laws regarding the association and its responsibilities after a natural disaster.

Communication Is Key

Following a storm, whether it be a hurricane or simple hail damage, communicating with homeowners is by far the most important and often overlooked step that the community association can take. Often an emotional and overwhelming time for any resident, damage to the homes in your community can take many forms and can be addressed in various ways so it’s important for your board to keep an open line of communication with your owners so they are aware what steps are being taken by your association and what they will need to be responsible for in the aftermath.

In some states the board’s first challenge may be to understand whether to look to the communities Declarations and Bylaws or to the State and Local laws to determine who is responsible for what. In Florida for instance, the Florida Condominium Act can assign certain responsibilities to the association that they would not normally be involved with and can be in direct opposition to existing declarations at the community. We highly recommend communicating regularly with members of your licensed local community staff and your insurance providers to ensure that you are doing all of the right things to ensure your communities return to harmony.

Inspect for Damage

You may want to start with the simple process of inspecting your community for damages. Buildings suffering damage should have been secured from further water intrusion, through temporary roofs, boarded windows, and sliding glass doors, which will need to be replaced. Construction debris from the storm should have been be removed or at least contained.

Every unit should have been inspected by the Association, preferably on several occasions, to ensure that there is no moisture to the interior of the units. Moisture detected, on areas such as wet carpets or soggy drywall, should have been removed. The drying process can typically be accomplished through interior climate manipulation through dehumidification, heating and/or air conditioning. The association’s insurance adjuster should be involved throughout the dry-out process. For more complex water intrusion dry out, an outside neutral party should also be involved.

Every association and unit owner should have contacted their insurance carriers to file insurance claims. Associations should ensure that every insurance carrier with potential responsibility has been put on notice. At this point, if the adjuster has not yet visited the premises, this should be immediately addressed with your insurance agent. Your insurance adjuster will attempt to document the site, but the association should document existing conditions by taking pictures and video of the damage.

Finding Experts for the Repairs

After all units have been inspected for damage and the appropriate representatives have been notified you can begin the process of finding contractors or storm damage experts to help start the repairs Associations with buildings that have incurred moderate to significant damage should retain an independent consultant such as an architect or engineer, with no financial stake in developing the repair specifications. Often, this will be an architect or structural engineer, and may even be a type of qualified consultant for particular items. Condominium documents often require a reconstruction plan to be prepared by an architect or engineer.

Contractors should be appropriately licensed in your state for the type of work they will be performing, carry adequate insurance, and so forth. Although time is of the essence in moving forward with hurricane damage repair projects, a great deal of money is involved and the association can best protect itself by ensuring that there is appropriate legal review of any contracts or other documents. General contractors and many specialty contractors must be registered with the state. Licenses and complaints against such entities can often be checked online or can be requested from your community management company if they are providing the contractors.

Making Emergency Repairs

In the event that homeowners have damages that pose additional risk or could lead to additional losses, it’s important to make some emergency repairs. Again knowing that communication and documentation are vital, try to document all of the necessary repairs and the steps taken to make those repairs, using photographs and dated records can help in the event that there is any dispute on the timeline or the necessity of the repair with insurance later.

In many cases the emergency repairs can be temporary and may require additional maintenance when the insurance company has settled on a permanent solution. These temporary repairs can include things like using a tarp on a leaking roof or adding plywood to broken doors and windows, and the cost may initially come out of the owners pockets but can be reimbursed at a later date by the insurance company.

The Vital Role of Insurance Professionals

Throughout this article and the process of rebuilding one thing remains constant, the need to be continually consulting with your insurance company and the experts they employee. Dealing with damage to your home is never pleasant and it can become almost impossible when the board needs to deal with their own home damage plus the overall community health and rebuilding. It is important to determine who insures which portion of the condominium property because the statute provides that the person or entity that insures the property is also the person or entity who repairs that portion of the property. Generally, any portion of the condominium property that must be insured by the association and which is damaged by a casualty or insurable event, will be repaired by the condominium association and the costs of such repair will be assessed as a common expense against all unit owners.  Unit owners are responsible for repairing any portions of the condominium property that it is required to insure and the cost of such repairs to be paid by the owner of the unit that suffered the damage.

In conclusion, if your condominium suffers damage due to a hurricane or another storm event, the association will need to consult with its insurance agent and its legal counsel to determine if the damage suffered was due to a casualty, or insurable event, and thereafter decide who will need to repair the damage and pay for the costs of such repair.  Prompt action must be taken to protect the condominium property and the association.  If your association needs further guidance on this issue, it should consult with its attorney or the knowledgeable management staff.

On SFPMA Members directory, find Law firms, Insurance agents, Public adjusters, roofing companies..

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STORM DAMAGE CLAIMS FOR YOUR CONDO AND HOA PROPERTIES! by SFPMA

STORM DAMAGE CLAIMS FOR YOUR CONDO AND HOA PROPERTIES! by SFPMA

  • Posted: Aug 29, 2023
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STORM DAMAGE CLAIMS FOR YOUR CONDO AND HOA PROPERTIES!

SFPMA & Members are ready to Handle Storm Damage & Claims for Condo and HOA Properties!

These Trusted Members are; Legal Firms, Public Adjusters, Roofing Engineering & Service Companies that work with you on Solutions to Storm Related Damage.

Use the Form On our website..Contact us Today!

 

Protect Your Condo & HOA This Hurricane Season!

The Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA), this year is predicted to be another above-normal season.

The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare. Damage from a hurricane can be costly for all businesses and can pose hazards for you and your employees. Fortunately, there are ways that you can fortify your business against a hurricane to minimize losses and reduce risks for workers.

As part of “Planning Ahead” for a Disaster, the SBA encourages you to consider taking these simple steps to prepare: Assess your risk; Create a plan, Execute your plan. Statistics show that 25% of small businesses don’t re-open after a disaster. Visit the SBA’s Prepare for Emergencies website to learn more about how to prepare and recover if a disaster strikes.

NOOA officials also encourage consumers to take the following steps:

  • Visit Ready.gov and Listo.gov for useful and valuable disaster preparation resources including checklists and templates for your business and your home.
  • Download the FEMA app to sign-up for a variety of alerts and to access preparedness information.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance.

Visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at hurricanes.gov throughout the season to stay current on watches and warnings.

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Be prepared to say NO when an insurance company offers you a low ball offer!

Be prepared to say NO when an insurance company offers you a low ball offer!

  • Posted: Aug 29, 2023
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Maus Law Firm

954-784-6310

Mr. Maus is a Florida native practicing law in South Florida since 1993. He currently limits his practice to the areas of insurance related claims – personal injury and homeowner property damage claims and commercial litigation. Mr. Maus has tried over 60 jury trials to verdict and has litigated claims throughout Florida.

Delays and Partial Payouts — Challenging the Patience of Florida Policyholders

Insurers often engage in strategies meant to challenge the patience of the policyholder and thereby force the policyholder to accept a lower payout, or to simply resign themselves to no payout.  For example, an insurer may excessively delay the processing of the claim, arguing that the delays are due to ongoing investigation of the damage.  By doing so, they hope that you — under pressure to fix the roof and no doubt overwhelmed by the proceedings— will simply move forward without waiting for the insurer and potentially give up on dealing with the hassle they created.

Partial payouts — in which the policyholder is offered an inadequate sum, but a sum nonetheless — are another way in which insurers try to goad policyholders into accepting less than what they’re owed under the policy at issue.

It’s worth noting that Florida law may entitle policyholders to bring an independent “bad faith” action against the insurer (which could even lead to punitive damages) if the insurer failed to investigate and pay the claim in a timely manner, or failed to evaluate the claim fairly under the circumstances. Simply put, if there was no valid justification for the denial, then our Fort Lauderdale roof damage attorneys may be able to sue and recover damages pursuant to a bad faith claim.

Coverage Exclusion as the Basis for Denial

In homeowner’s insurance policies, payouts for roof damage may be limited due to coverage exclusions.

For example, a roof damage claim may be covered if it is caused by a thunderstorm, but not if it is caused by a hurricane.

Such strict categorization for roof damage coverage often leads to a dispute, particularly if the event leading up to the roof damage at-issue is somewhat muddled — if your roof is damaged in a hurricane (which is covered by the policy), the insurer might claim that it was not actually the wind force of the hurricane itself, but a falling tree that caused the roof damage.  You can successfully counter this argument by showing how the hurricane directly caused the tree to fall on your roof.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Roof Damage Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Here at Maus Law Firm, our South Florida property damage attorneys have decades of experience representing the interests of policyholders whose real estate property has been harmed, whether due to a storm, fire, or some other unexpected event — including those which cause damage to the roof structure.

We understand the unique challenges that are faced by policyholders who are attempting to secure an adequate payout through submitting a roof damage claim, and are standing by to assist such policyholders in pursuing litigation against their insurers.

Ready to speak to a property damage lawyer at our firm?  Call us at 1-855-999-5297 or complete an intake form through our website to schedule a free and confidential consultation today.

Maus Law Firm Members of SFPMA
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Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Guide by Becker and Association Adjusting

Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Guide by Becker and Association Adjusting

  • Posted: Aug 29, 2023
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Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Guide

by Becker and Association Adjusting

The State of Florida is no stranger to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Living in paradise doesn’t come without some risks associated with Mother Nature. The question is never just if our communities, homes and families will be impacted by a windstorm event, but when they will, and how we will prepare for and recover from that event.

In addition to our in-house legal services, Becker owns and operates Association Adjusting, a licensed and insured public adjusting firm led by Joseph “Joe Connelly (#E157037). Mr. Connelly has served as Executive Board Officer for the Florida Association of Public Adjusters (FAPIA).

Recognized as an authority in the community association industry, Association Adjusting has the expertise and experience to help community associations achieve the most favorable outcome possible. Our team of public adjusters, led by Mr. Connelly, provides clients with only the highest level of professionalism and excellence – whether you’re dealing with a claim that stems from hurricane damage, water damage, theft, fire, mold, roof leak, or any other type of calamity, our singular goal is to ensure your interests are always protected.

The first step toward developing and implementing a disaster plan is identifying the potential consequences of a disaster. The second step is to develop and implement a plan to mitigate the impact of a disaster to the fullest extent possible.

Click here to read more!

Disaster Resources & Links

Federal Emergency Management Agency for federal disaster response and recovery information

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for information about federal flood insurance

Home Inventory Checklist

Information about Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance Writers

Flood Resources: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Contact Information: Phone: 1-888-FLOOD29 or 1-888-356-6329

Flood Claims Process

Filing a Flood Insurance Claim

Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation

Notice of Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation

Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form

Homeowners insurance toolkit

Are you prepared for Hurricane Season?

Preparing for Natural Disasters, and Recovering from them

Disaster Preparedness at Home: Filter Out the Damage

Disaster Prep & Self Storage – What You Need to Know

PA DMV Emergency Driving Tips

Emergency Preparedness for People Requiring Special Assistance

Humane Society – Protect Your Pets

DISCLAIMER

Becker provides access to information on this website page as a public service. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all electronic information made available is current, complete and accurate, Becker does not warrant or represent that this information is current, complete and accurate. All information is subject to change on a regular basis, without notice. Becker assumes no responsibility for any errors in the information provided, nor assumes any liability for any damages incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of the website page. The inclusion of, or linking to, other website URLs does not imply our endorsement of, nor responsibility for, those web sites, but has been done as a convenience to our website visitors.

 

 

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